Ohio Governor Mike DeWine will permit all levels of sports this fall, which includes “contact sports” such as football and soccer.
DeWine made that announcement during his Tuesday afternoon press conference, where he added there would be spectator limitations to these sporting events. The governor said the emphasis should be on the athletes, and therefore limiting spectators to contests to only family members and those close to the athlete or groups such as marching band and drill teams.
The governor said he would be conducting a teleconference Tuesday evening with school athletic administrators and coaches of the various sports, to discuss the best way to move forward in an effort to keep their athletes safe from spreading the Coronavirus.
He and Lt. Jon Husted said the athletes will need to be disciplined and that "accountability" will be essential, as the OHSAA could cause schools to forfeit contests if they do not follow the protocols established by state and local health departments, along with the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
Husted says the OHSAA will have oversight officials at games to check if schools are enforcing state guidelines and health departments will also have site inspectors.
Failure to comply can disqualify teams from games.
In conference call with AD’s and coaches Tuesday night, Lt. Governor Jon Husted says the ideal recommendation on sports spectator limitation for attending families and close friends is “four persons per athlete”.